Magalong ask Dads to amend face shield ordinance

November 13, 2021 Metro BLISTT

Locals may soon enjoy walking around the city without the discomfort of face shields. Mayor Benjamin Magalong this week has asked the city council to have the ordinance mandating the wearing of face shields to combat spread of the Covid-19 virus.
In a letter Monday to the city council, Magalong urged to have the ordinance amended and limit its use to hospitals and isolation centers.
The November 8 letter addressed to vice mayor Faustino Olowan said the city council should now consider amending the ordinance since 71.8 percent of the adult target population has been vaccinated.
And the vax drive will not stop there as the target has been increased to 90 percent by the end of the year.
He also said that the city has a downtrend in Covid-19 infection with the new cases in the double digit since October 21.
The mayor has earlier asked the national Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Disease technical working group (IATF – EID) which is now studying the re-opening of more economic activities as well as easing up of restrictions.
“As some restrictions are gradually eased in consonance with increasing numbers of vaccination individuals, this move may be a welcome change for our citizens after nearly two years of dealing with this pandemic,” Magalong was quoted by the Public Information Office – Baguio as saying.
Ordinance No. 49 enacted earlier this year has required the wearing of face shield on top of having a face mask as mandated by Ordinance No. 45-2020. Ordinance 49 require all persons, including tourists and outsiders, to wear face masks in all public places, buildings, national roads or highways, sidewalks, walkways, or public conveyances or other establishments.
Same ordinance also require persons transacting business with any person to wear both face mask and shield in public markets, supermarkets, groceries, malls, shopping centers, and government offices.
The penalties range from P500 to P2,000 and cancellation of business permit if applicable. The NIATF – EID, meanwhile, said that it will be up to local government unit leaders to decide whether the use of a face shield is still needed.
Pigeon Lobien/ABN